The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-12-15

not disputed by the corporations. The
absolute inability OF the companies to
pay their debts when due, has been ap-
parent for years. 1t has long been plain
to every body that one OF two things
must be done, namely: the debt mast
be extended on reasonable terms. or % &
government must take the roads at
further great cost to itself, aud to the
great injustice and injury OF TIE
stockholders. 1t didn't require
any Commission to learn this,
nor was it necessary to ex-
pend 100000 in a useless inquiry
to decide which plan would be the bet
ter to pursue.
Now that the Commission has con-
cluded its senseless lsbors, the predic-
ton of TIE HERALD last spring that
the boards work would amount to
nothing, would determine nothing, ia
about to be verified. The telegraph has
failed to inform US as 10 the contents OF
the Commissions report, but the st.
Louis Railway Register has learned
something OF the nature of the docu-
ment. and thus intelligently comments
on the same:
Ne were told that when the Pacific Rail.
roads Commission had concluded its lnVeS-
tigs1on, 1t would be aOie to forever settle
the affairs OF the railroads that had received
aid from the government, so far as such aid
and the interests of the United STATE S are
concerne. But the Commissioners do not
seem to DO able To agree upon what The
evidence taken proves Messrs. LiItleE and
Anderson report in favor OF u scheme for
extending the debt of the companies 10 the
government, 50 that the properties may be
projected while paying of their obligations.
Mr. Pattison on the other hand insists upon
selling the roads, and taking them
out OF the hands of the companies. 70
such lengths did the disagreement go that, ii
report be creditable, President Cleveland
tried, but in vain, to bring ABOUT harmony
NOW The que stlon arises, what has this CON-
mission accomplished that is of account? 1t
has expended its appropriation OF $l00 Coz
and now comes forward with the oeclara-
ton that its members cannot agree as TO the
best course to pursue. Congress wants, ill.,
formation that will make 1t possible to en-
act some sort of law, e4 uitable alike TO the
government and the railways The COM
panies are ID favor of an extension of time
and an arrangement for the payment of
fixed sum at Iegul rly recurring intervals,
So that all the Troublesome questions of the
past may oe out of the case entirely Joseph
Johnston, Commissioner of Pacific Rail
roads, is also al advocate of tins plan, aud
recommends that the governments present
holdings be exchanged for new bond, |
bearing MOI to exceed per cent. interest |
This ne thinks justice to the roads demands |
II 1t be not finally made plain that the |
United States has paid 500, 600 and received |
no hing in return, the indications are mis- |
Leading.
Now. il Congress will go to work in
muzzling the dema-
gogues and blatherskites among its |
members who are eternally protesting
their own honesty by attacking the
character and integrity of others-look
at the situation with tn light of reason,
utterly disregarding the Commissions
'eport, it will he able to adjust the DIFF
icGlty in short order, and OF principles
if fairness and equity. If crowded
low. the companies, the government
md the country must all suffer and
ose if the government will be reason
lbie, and give the companies chance
% pay and win take its clutches off the
5hreats of the CORPORATIONS, the nation
HIll not losesa dollar, the roads will be
able to save themselves and heeountry
through which the lines run will be
.apidly developed and made rich and
prosperous. Craftsmanship and faan-
,iai ability could very soon adjust
matters to the satisfaction of everybody
Interested.